We’re All RINOs Now

Cruz is out, Kasich is far behind. Trump is the presumptive nominee. Love him or hate him, one thing is for sure he’s not the Republican of the past. He’s never held office. He’s the most “outsider” of any candidate since Wendell Willkie. Either in the primary or in the past he has been all over on the GOP platform from single-payer health care, protectionism, guns, and abortion. The platform and principles of the GOP aren’t a guide for him. Of course, his supporters will point out that it wasn’t for the GOP establishment (GOPe) either. So what is a Republican now?

The grand Reagan coalition of “leave me alone” was made of Defense, Economic, and Social conservatives. Reagan masterfully built it and kept it together, but it was contentious after his presidency. Now it’s completely gone. Trump hasn’t sought to rebuilt it. That may be the right thing because the Cold War and Reagan era are indeed over. But what coalition is there for Trump to build? What Republicans are there now?

Comments 4

Simple, indeed.
Early in the Twentieth century, Republicans vied with Democrats for the progressive label. Parties change. The essence of conservatism, however, does not. If the nihilistic opportunism of Donald Trump represents the new face of Republicanism, (real) conservatives will “simply” leave the party and found another.

That is the question. Was having dinner with three guys last night after a round of golf. One of the guys nearly came unglued when I wouldn’t declare my support for Trump.

Where was the disagreement? On the definition of Republican. I wasn’t willing to compromise my ideas about government to the extent he was. Everyone of us defines the role of government differently and must determine how much he/she is willing to compromise.

Looking back on the past thirty years, compromise doesn’t appear to have a track record at reforming government, maybe slowing it but not reforming it. Make that one hundred years.

A homeowner doesn’t compromise with a burglar. To give a burglar one item of silverware compromises my value of property rights without the burglar compromising his value, theft. When one compromises an unalienable principle/right all it does is set a precedent for another compromise.

If I am selling my VW and we agree on property rights we can compromise because we have the same value but I will not compromise on an unalienable right.

What is the role of government? Even conservative Christians disagree. Ughh.